The Beginner’s Guide to Starting (or Restarting) Reading

I was never an avid reader. I enjoyed some Hardy Boys and Enid Blyton adventures from my school library, but once I hit high school, all that was replaced by boring textbooks. Literature left me—or maybe I left it. My reading habit died in school, buried under exams, college, and the pressures of building a career. Somewhere along the way, reading became associated with textbooks and obligation rather than joy.

Years later, my boyfriend (an avid reader) gifted me a book on my 22nd birthday. And honestly? I was mad! Who gives a book as a gift? (Thoughtful folks, apparently.) That gift did nudge me back into reading, but I only managed one or two books a year.

It wasn’t until my early 30s that books became a regular part of my life. Now, I average two books a month. It took me 13 years to get here. (Not that it should be the goal, but it’s a good place to be if one likes books)

After a long day or when I’m feeling overwhelmed, bored, or restless, I’ve discovered that reading is the most convenient way to relax and calm my mind. I know many of you want to do the same—choose a book over a screen—but feel too drained to focus, even though you love the idea of reading. I was exactly there myself.

At first, I tried reading my partner’s collection of classics—Dostoyevsky (pushing myself harder than at the gym for Crime and Punishment), George Eliot, Albert Camus (I was bored to death). These were thick books, with difficult English and topics that didn’t interest me, which only pushed me further away from reading.

The first blocker was that “I’ll never finish this” feeling when you pick up a thick book. Then there’s the self-imposed pressure to read “important” books—award winners and classics—even if they don’t interest you. Over time, and with a little wisdom (and a few grey hairs), here’s what finally helped:

1. Read for Pleasure, Not Status

Reading is for your enjoyment, not to impress anyone. Read what interests YOU, not what you think you “should” read. It could be anything—mystery, romance, graphic novels. The goal is to weaken the screen’s dopamine pull by channelling your mind toward the antidote: a book.

2. Browse Before You Buy

Go to a bookshop or platforms like Goodreads and FiveBooks.com for getting a quick glimpse of a book. Sometimes I order books straight from Amazon (there’s no bookshop where I live—my dream is to open a book café someday). If I’m not sure, I read a sample on Kindle or Google Books before deciding to buy.

3. Start Small

If you’re a beginner, start with shorter books (under 250 pages). The satisfaction of finishing a book is incredibly motivating for picking up your next one. Try reading for 20–30 minutes before bed, or just 2–3 pages—whatever suits you. This keeps screens away and often leads to better sleep. Keep your current book with you; you’ll be surprised how many reading opportunities pop up throughout your day. Especially when you’re outside, it’s a great way to avoid reaching for your phone.

4. Go Easy on Yourself

Don’t buy a ton of books or make a huge reading list. Don’t put yourself under pressure or fall into a guilt cycle. If you don’t like a book, stop and pick another. You can leave a book whenever you like—that’s the beauty of free will. (It took me a while to accept this!)

Beginner-Friendly Recommendations

Here are some light, engaging reads—both fiction and non-fiction

• Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

• Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

• Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

• When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

• Factfulness by Hans Rosling

• The Mother by Geetanjali Shree

• Kokoro by Natsume Soseki

At the beginning of your reading journey, what book helped you fall in love with reading? Share your recommendations in the comments!